The Senate of the Philippines issued an arrest warrant against suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo for continued ‘no-show’ status amidst the investigation into the illegal activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in her municipality.
The arrest order dated July 11 was signed by Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero and Senator Risa Hontiveros, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality.
During the Senate committee hearing on July 10, Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada and Senator Win Gatchalian moved to cite Alice Guo in contempt, a motion seconded by Senator Nancy Binay.
Guo's continued absence is tagged as 'delaying', 'impeding', and 'obstructing' the probe into the investigation of the reported violation of human trafficking, serious illegal detention, and physical abuse and torture in the premises of POGOs.
The Senate also ordered the arrest of several personalities connected to the probe: Dennis Cunanan, Nancy Gamo, Sheila Guo, Wesley Guo, Jian Zhong Guo, Siemen Guo, and Wen Yi Lin.
The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms was instructed to execute the arrest order against Guo within 24 hours.
On July 9, Guo's lawyer, Stephen David, stated that Guo was reluctant to attend, citing past trauma and stress during previous hearings.
